Mixing device



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. A. M LEAN MIXING bgvxcn Original Filed Jan. 5, 1938 F/GJ.

March 16, 1943.

LU I

WILLIAM A. McLEA/V March 16, 1943. w. A. M LEAN 2,313,760

MIXING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 5, 19558 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J ,4 i I QMW W/LL/AM A. McLEA/V Patented Mar. 16, 1943 MIXING DEVICE William A. McLean, Geneva, N. Y., assi'gnor to Geneva Processes, Inc., Geneva, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application January 5, 1938, Serial No.

183,549. Divided and 1941, Serial No. 396,337

7 41 Claims.

This invention relates to mixing and emulsifying devices, and more especially to devices for mixing emulsions which may or may not be colloidal, such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, and insecticides.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 183,549, filed January 5, I938.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a mixing device. which is capable of quickly producing a colloid or a mixture of the desired homogeneity.

Still another object of this invention is to pro- .vide a mixing device which is simple in construction andmay be readily adjusted to produce a product having the desired characteristics;

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mixing device provided with a rotor and provided with means by which the material which is to be mixed can be fed in a relatively-small stream upon the center portion of the rotor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mixing device having a mixing chamber into which a rotor extends, the interior surface of said mixing chamber and the surface of the said rotor .being provided with pins in staggered relation which serve to give the material a preliminary beating before it passes between the rotor and stator surfaces of the mill.

With these and other objects in view, this invention embraces broadly the concept of providing a mill having a mixing chamber and a rotor extending intothechamber, said mill being provided with means to feed the material in a small stream upon the center of the rotor surface. The mill is also provided with means by which the ma- "terial entering the mill is subjected to a preliminary beating before it passes between the rotor and stator surfaces. In one form of the invention means mounted on the center of therotor is-provided which aids in the distribution of the material over the rotor surface after it. has entered the mill.

p The feeding principle is important because it enables the rotor surface to be covered with the incoming material without danger of overloading the mill, and the preliminary beating of the ma- .terial eliminates the necessity of thoroughly mixing the materials before they are introduced to the mill and also eliminates the possibility of theingredients separating before they reach the rotor and stator surfaces. These advantages will beflsubsequently described in more detail,

In the drawings: 7

this application June 2,

:by'brackets 20 mounted on the upper portion-of the collar.

'conical shape-formed by wa1lsZ21.

Figure l is a view in longitudinal section of one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectionalview showing the rotor construction of another form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional View showing the rotor construction of a third form or the invention.

,For purposes of illustration three mill heads have been shown in the drawings, all of which are capableof carrying out the principal objects of the invention. In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the mill comprises a mill supporting structure, generally designated by the numeral 1, which is-provided with a base 2, which rests on the end plate 3 of an electric motor, and carries a supporting structure 4 The supporting structure I is provided with an inclined surface 5 positioned between a pair of side walls which form a chute 6 which converges at the'foot-of the inclined surface 5 to form the discharges-pout l. Thefront of the chute 6 is partially closed by a splash plate 8 which is held in position by knurled nuts!) which engage studs H1 carriedby the member I. The inclined surface 5 is also providedwi'th jackets I'll through which steam or coolingl-iquid may be introduced .if desired.

The shaft H of the electricmotor is coupled at IE. to a shaft l'3 which; drives a rotor memher it. The shaft i3 is journaled as indicated at l'aand 15" in a sleeve 1'5 which forms a; part of the support" structure I extending into the chute B.

The upper portion of the support I defines an aperture 11 around the periphery of which is mounteda collar l8 which is held in place by cap screws l9. Adjusting bolts 19' which are carried memberv I afford means whereby the collar it may be adjusted centrally with respect to the rotor shaft l'3. The is is exteriorly threadedassho'wn at. 2| and is adapted to receive an interiorly threadediannulus 22 which can be rotated to raise or lower its position by means of handles 23'.

A head 24-is-detachably mounted within the collar l8 and extends into the aperture I l. The head 24 is provided with a steam or water jacket 25 which is connected by means not shown to a suitable supply of coolingor heating fluid; and surrounds-a central mixing chamber 26 of frusto- The head 24 is provided with a flange 28 which mately to the walls 21 poured into the funnel before the mill is started.

ing the mixing chamber 26 comes in and positioned directly above the center of the rotor in order that the incoming material will be directed upon the center of the rotor. I

The clearance between'the rotor l4 and the walls 2|'of the mixing chamber 26 is controlled by raising or lowering the head 24 by changing the position of the threadedisupporting annulus 22. After the proper adjustment has been made, the wing nuts 33 are tightened to hold the head 24 in fixed position.

The rotor I4 extends into the mixing chamber 25 and its flat upper and sloping sidesurfaces are provided with interlacing disturbing elements such as pins or interrupting circular vanes 34 which extend in the direction of and approxiwhen the head 24 is in normal operating position. These pins are of different heights and .are arranged in four series.

The first two series are mounted on the flat upper surface of the rotor M, the longest pin of each series being mounted adjacent the center of the rotor and the heights of the remaining pins becoming progressively less towards the periphery of the flat surface. The remaining two series are mounted on the sloping surface, the longest pin being mounted adjacent the intersection of this surface with the fiat upper surface; of the rotor and the lengths becoming progressively less as the lower periphery of the sloping surface is approached.

A propeller-like member 35 isrigidly on the center of the rotor l4 between the longest pins of the first two series. This member 35 is provided with rigidly mounted vanes 36 which are curved in such a manner as to impel the incoming material towards the rotor surface.

The inner surface of the wall 2'! is also projvidedwith pins 3'! which project into the mixing chamber 26 to a point adjacent the sloping surface of the rotor Hi. These pins form two series which decrease progressively in length as they extend down the wall 21.

They, are also staggered in respectto' the portion of the pins 34 mounted onthesloping surface of the rotor M to .provide thorough mixing of materials being fed over the rotor.

In operation, the head 25 is adjusted in the manner previously described so as to provide the proper clearance between the interior surface of the mixing chamber 26 and the working surface of the rotor l4 and the mixture is then tity has entered the mixing chamber 26 to completely cover thesurface of the rotor. If desired, under some conditions the entire mixing chamber 23 may be mal conditions only suificient material is admitted to cover the rotor l4 before it is started.

During operation, because of the restrictive area ofthe aperture3l, all of the material enterthe propeller 35 the vanes of which distribute the mixture evenly over the rotor surface. It is then subjected to a beatingand'mixing action by the pins 34 and 31.5 After a thorough beating mounted filled with the rough mixture I However, under nor- 33 until a sufficient quancontact with and mixing, the material passes between the working surfaces of the rotor l4 and. the wall 21 and falls upon the inclined surface 5. After flowing down this surface it is discharged through the aperture 1.

In connection with the operation of this mill, it should be noted that the relatively small area of the aperture 3| in'relation to the head of the rotor l4 permits only a restricted quantity of the material to be fed into the mill and directs all of this material upon the propeller 35 from which it can be evenly distributed over the rotor. The frusto-con'ical shape of both the rotor l4 and the mixing chamber 26 is also admirably suited for this type of mill and the pins 34 and 31 are strategically located so as to take full advantage of thi construction and thereby give the mixture a thorough beating before it passes beyond the rotor M.

In Figure 3 is shown a head 53 which may readily be substituted in the mill just described in place of the head 24. The head 50 is similar in construction to the head 24 and is provided with the previously described fluid chamber 25, flange 28, and central aperture 3| on which may be mounted the funnel33 in the manner which has previously been described. The mixing chamber 5|, however, of the head 50 is cylindrical in shape and is associated with a rotor 52 which is of hemispherical shape.

Mounted on the exterior surface of the rotor 52 are radially extending interlacing disturbing elements such as pins or interrupting circular vane 53 which extend to a point adjacent the interior surface of the cylinder 5|. are arranged in two series, the longest pins of each series being offset slightly from the center of the rotor, 52 and the pins of each series decreasing progressively in length as they extend down the slope of the rotor. Mounted on opposed surfaces of the cylinder 5|-are a series of pins 54 which extend radially inward toward the center of the rotor 52. These pins are of equal lengths and extend to a point adjacent the surface of the rotor 52 and are staggered in relation to the pins 53. I

In the construction just described it should be noted that the area of the aperture 3| is relatively small in comparison to the upper face of the rotor 52. However, dueto the sharp slope of the surface of the rotor 52, this mill is capable of handling material of a given viscosity more rapidly than the frusto-conically shaped rotor |4 and the use of a propeller member35 istherefore not necessary. The pins were positioned after a careful study of the shape of the mixing chamber 5| and the rotor 52 in order to obtain a maximum beating action. l

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the head 63 is also provided with a fluid chamber 25, flang 28 and inlet. aperture 3|. The mixing .chamber 6|, however, is of conical shape and its interior wall is provided with interlacing disturbing elements such as pins or interrupting circular vanes 62 which are divided into two series and decrease progressively in size as they extend down the surfaceof the mixing chamber. These pins terminate adjacent the conical surface of a rotor 63 on the upper surface of which are mounted two series of pins 64. The longest pins of each series are mounted adjacent the center of the rotor 63 and the remaining, pins of each series decrease progressively in height,.the shortest pins being located adjacent the periphery of the rotor. The pins 62 and 64 are staggered.

In connection with this modification, it should These pins 7 be noted that the aperture 3| is also of relatively small area as compared to the area of the upper surface of the rotor 63 and that the pins are positioned in such a manner as to give a maximum beating action when used in connection with a chamber and rotor of the type described. The conical-shaped rotor 63, due to the angle of its surface, is capable of handling material of a given viscosity more rapidly than is the rotor l4 but less rapidly than the rotor 52.

While for purposes of illustration the preferred structure which constitutes the invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that various changes in the details of construction can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improvement in a mixing and emulsifying mill comprising a mixing chamber having walls, said mixing chamber being of frusto-conical shape, a rotor extending into said mixing chamber, said rotor being of frusto-conical shape and having a flat upper surface and sloping sides, an opening in the mixing chamber above the center portion of said rotor, a propeller rigidly mounted in the center of the rotor directly below the said opening, the vanes of said propeller being turned in a direction which enables it to distribute the material upon the rotor surface, two series of pins which progressively decrease in length mounted on the upper surface and extending down opposed sloping sides of the rotor, the longest pin of each series being positioned on opposite sides of the propeller adjacent the center of the rotor, and two series of pins mounted on the interior surface of the mixing chamber and extending towards the sloping surface of the rotor, the pins of each of said series decreasing progressively in length as they extend down the sloping interior of the mixing chamber, the last pin in each series being the shortest, and said pins being in staggered relationship in respect to the pins mounted on the sloping surface of the said rotor.

2. An improvement in a mixing and emulsifying mill comprising a mixing chamber having walls, said mixing chamber being of frusto-conical shape, a rotor extending into said mixing chamber, said rotor being of frusto-conical shape and having a flat upper surface and sloping sides, an opening in the mixing chamber above the center portion of said rotor, said opening being of relatively small size in respect to the rotor, a propeller rigidly mounted in the center of the rotor directly below the said opening, the vanes of said propeller being turned in a direction which enables it to distribute the material upon the rotor surface, two series of pins which progressively decrease in length mounted on the upper surface of the rotor and extending down opposed sides of the rotor, the longest pin of each'series being positioned on opposite sides of the propeller adjacent the center of the rotor, and two series of pins mounted on the interior surface of the mixing chamber and extending towards the sloping surface of the rotor, the pins of each of said series decreasing progressively in height as they extend down the sloping interior of the mixing chamber, the last pin in each series being the shortest, and said pins being in staggered relationship in respect to the pins mounted on the sloping surface of the said rotor.

3. An improvement in a mixing and emulsifying mill comprising a mixing chamber having walls, said mixing chamber being of frusto-conical shape, a rotor extending into said mixing chamber, said rotor being of frusto-conical shape and having a flat upper surface and sloping sides, the upper portion of the said mixing chamber defining an opening above the center portion of the said rotor, the area of said opening being of relatively small size compared to the area of the flat upper surface of the rotor, and said mixing cham her being adjustable in a vertical direction so that the distance between the upper surface of the rotor and the opening may be regulated, a propeller rigidly mounted on the center of the rotor directly below the said opening, the vanes of said propeller being turned in a direction which enables it to distribute the material upon the rotor surface, two series of pins which progressively decrease in length mounted on the upper surface of the rotor and extending down opposed sides of the rotor, the longest pin of each series being positioned on opposite sides of the propeller adjacent the center of the rotor, and two series of pins mounted on the interior wall of the mixing chamber and extending towards the sloping surface of the rotor, the pins of each of said series decreasing progressively in height as they extend down the sloping interior of the mixing chamber, the last pin in each series being the shortest, and said pins being in staggered relationship in respect to the pins mounted on the sloping surface of the said rotor.

4. An improvement in a mixing and emulsifying mill comprising a mixing chamber having walls, said mixing chamber being of frusto-conical shape, a rotor extending into said mixing chamber, said rotor being of frusto-conical shape and having a flat upper surface and sloping sides,

' an opening in the mixing chamber above the center portion of said rotor, two series of pins which progressively decrease in length mounted on the upper surface and extending down opposed sloping sides of the rotor, the longest pin of each series being positioned on opposite sides of the center of the rotor, and two series of pins mounted on the interior surface of the mixing chamber and extending towards the sloping surface of the rotor, the pins of each of said series decreasing progressively in length as they extend down the sloping interior of the mixing chamber, the last pin in each series being the shortest, and said pins being in staggered relationship in respect to the pins mounted on the sloping surface WILLIAM A. MCLEAN.

of the said rotor. 

